Favorite Photos

This photo is simple, and nothing comes in between the man and the sea.

It is straightforward. It is not sophisticated or complex.

I would never have done this image.

But I can really appreciate your own approach, and the feeling conveyed by such a candid depiction, as it forces the viewer to pay attention to this gentleman and coming up with an interpretation of what's going on. Not having read your note, I would have thought he was absorbed in a prayer, a meditating moment or a contemplative serenity.

This image is simple, distant, not intrusive, but it catches the attention and communicate some kind of spirituality, even if he is busy fishing.

A photo with lots of merit, probably because it leaves place for interpretation, for the contrast between the humble man facing an endless sea and the impression of remoteness and detachment.

I guess that I will have to join our colleagues perception and reveal without surprises that I also thought that your thumbnail was presenting a volcano. Now, I can appreciate the optical illusion and realize that it is a light show.

Quite interesting conditions here, with the top of the mountain fully covered in a dense cloud/fog, while the middle shines under different conditions, like if their was two different micro-climates, layer wise.

Unusual presentation, captured at the right moment - these phenomenon don't last forever, at least not with that intensity.

As much as I am passionate about photography, my camera remains in my bag most of the time under such conditions, even while being in iconic places.... I just feel depressed and uninspired, knowing that my shots will not convey any special appeal, as without light, there is no photography.

But you know what, I think that in some circumstances, the subject might suit the crappy weather, like this one you've nailed down. Look, the sky refuses to cooperate in any possible way, but this particular landscape do match the rainy and sad conditions, almost gaining a dramatic aura - like in a Ingmar Bergman movie... The Seventh Seal...

despite any favorable conditions, you have achieved good contrasts, a wide grayscale range, and an interesting transparency on the shallow water that might have not been possible, should the light would have been different.

Not a fan of black and white, but this shot has a vintage look that I can't explain, not coming from the subject itself, but from the finish, the impression.

Wow! for the colours, I just love these rich earthy tones and their combination with the crisp blue sky. Wow! for the nice and cool curvy perspective created by the rails, really well done. And the main subject is a classy one - I just love old trams - but it is the context in which you have captured it that make it so attractive.

I think that all Italians have the same hot blooded temper, very dramatic in their reactions, whether they live in Montreal, San Francisco, Australia or their mother land. The kind of reaction that happened to you happens to me all the time, as these guys are all actors, reacting like an opera performer, just for the show. Short fused, expressive and always friendly nevertheless.

I once had a zuppa di pesce at Luna in New York, asking for more bread in the middle of my meal to the server, only to be replied: "You had enough!!". Twenty seconds later, a basket full of bread was dropped on the table... I like Italians.

The kitschy tiles mixed with slabs of marble scream Napoli, and the oven have a charm of its own. I like that you have captured the proud man in action, posing for the delighted tourists (that we all are...), and the masterpiece coming out of the flames. Now everyone looking at your shot will want to have a pizza for dinner, but nothing can come close to the real thing...

We all find captivating roadside barbers in India, the small hole in the wall for men's grooming in Turkey, or the vintage barbershops in Italy, but we don't pay attention to the hair salons in our western world (and everything else to which the word exoticism isn't applicable).

But your photo surely made my eyebrows going upwards, realising that their is beauty and interest in most commonplaces.

About two months ago, Jason Cowling (jcpix) was showcasing a photo taken in a supermarket, at the level of the shopping cart, offering a fresh perspective on probably the most mundane location. I have a similar impression looking at your image, feeling like an observer, rather than an actor when visiting one of these places. It's a storytelling shot, like a microcosm enclosing a sample of society in general, most of them busy with their phones, looking happy in their own bubble.

The place in itself is quite interesting, looking industrial; small but efficient, with free Wi-Fi...

I am so jealous of this one, as the light and colours are sublime. Everything is at the right place and in right proportions. I photographed this mountain myself, but without the foreground that you have introduced so cleverly, it doesn't have a fraction of the majestic beauty of yours.

So clever... Your highly interesting note made me discover this inspired artist, spontaneously jumping on Google to explore some of his installations, before coming back to your photo. Thank you for sharing!

I guess that by taking part of the installation, you become a work of art yourself... No great special effect without the people in and out. A realistic result, well rendered and efficiently photographed. Amusing and convincing.

Such weather conditions doesn't occur often, where the light is illuminating a specific area of interest in the composition, while darkening the surrounding. Even better, the dark row of cloud in the foreground brings so much character to the scene, while "closing" the upper part of your frame.

This shot confirm that photography is all about capturing light... Very dramatic result.

The mix of colours work so nicely, with these golden/beige tones against the green canvas and a touch of purple. The way the light fall on the scene is also very attractive, providing an atmospheric quality.

I also like the full frontal point of view, that makes us focus on your subject.

Shooting windmills with originality is easier said than done, first because they are a very popular and iconic subject, and master painters and talented photographers have already pushed the envelop to come up with something fresh and inspired.

But you have pulled up a very interesting approach by using the windmill as a silhouette against a wide landscape, capturing both the morning fog and the mighty sun in a powerful manner. And despite the reduced size of the windmill, it is still the eye magnet in this composition, standing out the rest of the scene with a darker colour and a more elaborate level of details. I can also see that you have framed the ethereal clouds in a meticulous way that can't be the result of pure coincidence.

Your polariser makes wonder for this impressive architecturale image, darkening the sky with conviction to allow the structures to stand out. Contrasts are great, making the colours so vibrant. I like the proportions between the sky and the buildings, nicely balanced and framed.

It's interesting to see the geometric patterns against the organic texture from the clouds. This is a destination we rarely see on these pages; you are a true Indiana Jones!... :-p))

I can understand when someone doesn't wish to be photographed, but to react this way is over the board... And like you are saying, markets are very popular with photographers, they represent good photo opportunities, and the people working there are used to see cameras all the time...

So unless this guy is a convict, or that is fish are famous for being rotten, this nasty fishmonger is a fruitcake. You can be sure I would have confronted him, because excited people like him excite me as well, and I can loose my politeness very fast when confronted with such a schizophrenic.

These markets aren't secret military compound, they are open to the public, for the public, and if you wanted to shoot the fish, you should have been able to do so freely. But now this cuckoo offered you a great sample of an over agitated freak, making a storytelling image that epitomizes what it is to be intolerant and a paranoiac kook.

You should send this photo to the market, so he can see how mad he looks with his knife. You don't exactly look like a terrorist Malgo, he should have offered you a smile and shut the f_ck up.

I salute your guts for not letting yourself being intimidated. This is not only a "decisive moment" image, it is also an "action shot"!!!

This point of view is interesting, as it puts the viewer straight in the caravan.

The cropping focus on the mahouts and their vibrant colours, golden and red, standing out from the green leaves. You have left a little bit more space on the right side, which is good as it indicates the direction they are going towards to.

My only reserve is that the tourist seat in the foreground is "optically crushing" the helmet of the driver in front, which could have been avoided a second or two later, when the alignment of elephants would have been slightly different, according to the terrain or the varying distance between them.